No Man’s Mistress by Mary Balogh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I Wanted to Like It More Than I Did

NO MAN’S MISTRESS is the second book in the Mistress Trilogy. It is the story of Lord Ferdinand Dudley who wins an estate in a card game only to find out that it is already inhabited by Viola Thornhill, who insists that the estate is hers. The two match series over the estate. Viola, however, harbors dark secrets and a painful past that leaves her alone.

I really wanted to like this book, but I never really liked Viola. She was too much of an enigma throughout the book. Her past was too painful and sordid and I never felt that the resolution of her personal journey was set out in a way that made her sympathetic. Unlike most Balogh novels there were times that I didn’t know if I would be able to finish the book.

I’m not a great fan of the ex-prostitute story so perhaps I judge them more harshly than other tropes. This book just didn’t feel deep or dark enough to compensate for the serious story of Viola’s life.

This book was my least favorite in the trilogy even though I enjoyed revisiting the other members of the Dudley family.

I’d rate this book 3.5.

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Heartless by Mary Balogh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Story of Secrets and the Pain They Cause

“He had learned neither to expect nor to give love.”

THE STORY: Lucas Kendrick is the Duke of Harndon after the deaths of both his father and older brother. Ten years ago, Lucan left England after having been betrayed, rejected, banished and shunned by his family and fiancee. He has closed himself off from love because of it. When he returns to England to accept his duty to his title, he realizes that he must marry. When he meets Lady Anna Marlowe, Lucas knows that this woman would make an appropriate wife. Anna knows that she will never marry. Her painful past gives her little hope of having a happy future. Despite all her resolve, she agrees to marry Lucas but knows that the two of them will have to keep their personal secrets.

OPINION: This book was uneven for me. I loved the progression of Lucas as he changes from a man who has cut himself off from everyone to a man who can open himself up to love again. I didn’t think that Anna’s character was as successful. After a year, it becomes more difficult to accept Anna’ silence about her secrets.

I really liked how the secrets were revealed in this novel. Even as I was annoyed by Anna’s continued silence, I appreciated the pacing of how things were slowly reveal and resolved in the story. The past is very dangerous to both of these characters.

I give this book high ratings primarily because of Lucas. His journey was compelling and I found the moment that he recognizes that he cannot hide from love to be one of the most beautiful I have read. It is a testimony to the power of others to change us.

WORTH MENTIONING: Anna’s deaf mute sister plays an important role here and is the heroine of the sequel SILENT MELODY.

FINAL DECISION: A good story with the highlight being the hero’s journey from a heartless man to one who can open himself up to love.

CONNECTED BOOKS: HEARTLESS is connected with the subsequent book SILENT MELODY.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

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Christmas Miracles by Mary Balogh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Heartwarming Christmas Novellas

CHRISTMAS MIRACLES is a compilation of three novellas that were previously published as part of the Signet annual Regency Christmas anthology.

THE WASSAIL BOWL — John Beattie, Earl of Wyndham has been estranged from his wife Antonia because he believes she has been unfaithful to him. A visit at Christmas provides an opportunity for them to begin again. This story has surprising emotional complexity considering its short length. I also liked that Christmas was a real part of the story and not just a gloss over a story that could occur at any time. Rating: 4 stars.

THE BOND STREET CAROLERS — Roderick Ames, Baron Heath is a promoter of music and musical talent. Walking down Bond street he is arrested by a beautiful voice of a young boy. Fanny Berlington, a widow, devotes herself to her two children. Before her marriage, she had a small crush on the Baron, but she is wary of this man who wants to promote her son at his musicale. This story is sweet, but the romance was less convincing because of the little amount of time that the hero and heroine spend together. I wish this story had been a bit longer because I thought the characters were very interesting. Rating: 3.5 stars.

GUARDED BY ANGELS — Elliott Nichols, Viscount Garrett and June Nichols, Viscountess Garrett have been married for five and a half years and separated for five and one-quarter years. Married young, the two had difficulties because Elliott had just returned from war when they married and had not dealt with his issues caused by his service. Instead, it infected their marriage and caused their separation. This story had a very magical theme and it worked well because of the existing connection between the characters. I thought their problems dissolved quickly once they talked but the quick resolution was understandable considering the length of the story. Rating: 4 stars.

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Silent Melody by Mary Balogh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unique Deaf Mute Heroine Most Intriguing Aspect of Story

THE STORY: Lord Ashley Kendrick, the younger son of a duke, goes to join the East India Company to make his own life. Seven years later he returns a bitter and sad man having lost his wife and son to a fire. Lady Emily Marlowe has loved Ashley since she was fourteen years old. A deaf-mute, Emily wants to make a life for herself and go on beyond her love for Ashley. Just on the night that she becomes betrothed to another man, Ashley returns.

OPINION: I really like the character of Emily. The book looks realistically at this strong woman’s ability to live with her differences. The most beautiful part of the book is how Emily and Ashley learn to communicate with one another. Ashley is unique in Emily’s life in that he makes the effort to come into her world rather than having her make all the adaptations. I enjoyed the deeply emotional relationship between Emily and Ashley.

My complaint about the book is that dramatics of the story dealing with the secrets involving Ashley’s deceased wife at times feel contrived. The story plot seems too obviously designed to just keep Emily and Ashley apart. I found the external events keeping the two apart to be too much at times and I tired of them after a while.

WORTH MENTIONING: Fans of the first book of the series will be happy to meet up with Lucas and Anna from HEARTLESS.

FINAL DECISION: I liked the romance between Ashley and Emily, but I felt that the dramatics of the story was too often designed to keep the two apart rather than flowing naturally from the plot.

CONNECTED BOOKS: SILENT MELODY is the second book in the Georgian series. It can be read as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.75 stars.

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The Ideal Wife by Mary Balogh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Marry in Haste, Repent in Leisure

“If you could set before me the plainest, dullest, most ordinary female in London, or in England, for that matter, I would make her an offer without further ado.”

FINAL DECISION: With a trippy premise (proposing marriage on minutes acquaintance), this book does so many things right. The hero is so wonderful. The heroine, unfortunately, drove me crazy with her secrets. Overall, I thought it was well written but not among Balogh’s best.

THE STORY: Miss Abigail Gardiner is a survivor. After being dismissed from her position as a lady’s companion she decides to approach a remote “cousin” who is a also a complete stranger to ask for help in finding a new position. Miles Ripley, Earl of Severan refuses to give her a reference but instead proposes that the two marry. Miles wants to wrest control of his life from his interfering female relatives who have already chosen his bride despite his wishes. He decides that Abby who appears quiet, plain and shy will be the perfect wife to marry, give him an heir and then not interfere with his life. Abby, however, has secrets that threaten to tear their marriage apart in ruin and scandal.

OPINION: What I loved best about this book is how Miles accepts and falls in love with Abby even though he is completely mistaken about her personality when he proposes to her. Frankly, he is almost a saint because Abby lies to him, keeps secrets and risks ruin and scandal again and again. He treats her with respect and generosity at every turn.

Abby on the other hand is a mixed bag for me. She is caring and protective of others. She also makes stupid decisions, keeps secrets far too long and threatens her own marriage. By the time, Abby’s last secret is revealed, I could only roll my eyes at her behavior.

One of the best part of Balogh’s novels is the sense of realism that she infuses in her books. Here, there is no instant attraction and torrid love scenes. The sex life of the characters has a progression and they have a more satisfying sex life as they open up to one another.

There is also overlap in the story here and the next book’s romance (Miles’ friend is the hero in the next book).

WORTH MENTIONING: The book was originally published in the early 1990s.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE IDEAL WIFE is the first book in the Stapleton-Downes series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

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Longing by Mary Balogh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Deeply Emotional Tale of Two People Socially Far Apart

“Such affairs are unequal things, are they not? All pleasure and convenience for the man, all danger and humiliation for the woman. And ostracism from a deeply religious community like this, I do not doubt. We will fight it, then, Sian. You are my daughter’s governess; I am your employer. I am the Marquess of Craille; you are — an ironworker’s granddaughter. Yes, we will fight it.”

THE STORY: Alexander Hyatt, Marquess of Craille, comes to Wales to see his assets which include a mine and ironworks. A widower with a daughter, he seeks a governess. Sian Jones has sought to belong. The illegitimate daughter of a local lord, Sian married a miner. Widowed and having lost her son, Sian works in the mines. When she meets Alexander, she is attracted despite herself and knows that taking the job as his daughter’s governess is a bad idea because she doesn’t intend on becoming the Alexander’s mistress.

OPINION: This is an complex romance that is deeply emotional. Alexander and Sian know from the beginning that there can be nothing lasting between them because of their stations in life. Sian especially is determined to be part of the community and pursues marriage to a local worker because she deeply wants to belong. Alexander’s arrival shows Sian an alternate possibility for her. She is divided between her two selves and she has two possible futures. A story about breaking rules and traditions and expections in both personal and social ways, LONGING is ultimately about bringing about the future you want.

Balogh writes very emotional and personal stories. While the characters have multiple challenges and their road is difficult, when the happy ending arrives, the reader knows that the joy has been won though hard work and sacrifice.

WORTH MENTIONING: This novel has an intense historical background and plot involving worker’s rights.

FINAL DECISION: I recommend this book for those looking for an intense, complex story with flawed individuals. This is an unique setting taking place in Wales.

CONNECTED BOOKS: LONGING is a standalone book.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.25 stars.

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One Night for Love by Mary Balogh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Heartbreaking Story of Two People from Different Worlds

ONE NIGHT FOR LOVE is the story of Neville Wyatt, Earl of Kilbourne. Neville is marrying his cousin when a ragged woman enters the back of the church and declares herself his wife. Lily Doyle is the daughter of a commoner. Lily and Neville met when Neville was in the army. They married and the next day both are shot. Neville believes Lily dead and goes on with his life. He never tells any one about his marriage, returns to England and a year and a half later plans to marry the woman that he was expected to his whole life. Lily has returned after being held prisoner. She is illiterate, uneducated and far from being a lady. The gulf between the two seems impossible to cross. The two love one another, however, and this book is the story of how they learn to live together.

I really liked this story. The book is slow at times because it is a lush, romantic exploration of the feelings of the two. It is the story of how love alone is not enough. Lily and Neville need to deal with guilt and pain. Lily also has to change so that she can learn to live in Neville’s world. Those changes.are about discovering one’s.potential. By the time, this book ends the reunion and happy ending between the two is satisfying.

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A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

QUIET, BEAUTIFUL STORY

A SUMMER TO REMEMBER is the story of Lauren Edgeworth, the abandoned almost bride from ONE NIGHT FOR LOVE. Her disappointment of having been abandoned on her wedding day and a lifetime of feeling rejected by so many has left Lauren trapped in her ladylike mask. Kit Butler, Viscount Ravensburg, is a reckless rake whose smiling, laughing nature hides man who has scars of his own. The two end up in a pretend engagement that ends up healing so much that is hurt inside each of them.

This is a beautiful, deeply emotional book. Balogh really allows the reader to quietly and slowly understand the depths of these two characters and see the slow movements that they make in learning about one another, falling in love and healing one another. I love the quiet beauty of this book. It fits Lauren’s personality which is not cold but rather gentle and loving. The plot of the book is not particularly original or exciting. Rather, Balogh focuses expertly on the beautiful relationship that develops between Lauren and Kit.

I highly recommend this book which is better than the first in the series.

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Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Absolutely Fantastic End to the Bedwyn Series

SLIGHTLY DANGEROUS is the final book in the Bedwyn series. It is the story of the Duke of Bewcastle, Wulfric Bedwyn. In the previous two years, Bewcastle has seen his five siblings happily married. He is now alone and is somewhat restless. That leads him to accepting an invitation for a house party. There he meets Christine Derrick, a widow, whose behavior, while not scandalous, is not completely ladylike either. She is too bright. Of course, the cold, reserved Duke is attracted despite himself.

I absolutely loved this book. It ended up being my favorite of the series. Balogh did an amazing job of allowing the reader to see how two people who appear to be so incompatible are actually perfect for one another. The slow development of the romance between them just built to such an ending that I just smiled through the last chapters of the book.

I started this late in the evening intending to read a couple chapters before bed…didn’t happen. I was immediately drawn into the story and couldn’t put it down. I ended up staying up most of the night to finish it. There was never a lull in the book. Every moment built upon the other. This book plays into Balogh’s strengths. The inner life of these people is slowly revealed. The characters are vivid and compelling.

I have nothing bad to say about it except that I think it is a better book for having read the others in the series first.

Highly recommend!

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Slightly Sinful by Mary Balogh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

More Madcap Then Usual

SLIGHTLY SINFUL is the fifth book in the Bedwyn series. It is the story of Alleyne, the youngest son. The events in this book occur concurrently with those in SLIGHTLY TEMPTED. Alleyne is injured during the Battle of Waterloo. He is rescued by Rachel York, who find him unconscious and naked. Alleyne awakes with no memory of who he is. Rachel is a young woman who has fallen on hard times and is currently staying in a brothel with four prostitutes. Soon Alleyne is helping Rachel by masquerading as a newly married couple.

This is a story about who we are and what knowledge of the past makes us. Both Alleyne and Rachel are missing the truth about their pasts. The two fall in love while engaged in the fake marriage. This book is more madcap adventure than the others. Rachel and Alleyne travel with four prostitutes and a one-eyes former sergeant. Their deception, however, allows them to discover the truth. I really enjoyed this book. It was funny and poignant at the same time. The end of the book where Alleyne finally finds himself was so incredible that I forgot that the madcap adventure went on just a touch too long. I really like Alleyne and Rachel’s romance.

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